Surprising Powers & Perks That Britain¡¯s New King Charles Will Enjoy

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the crown passed to her heir. The former Prince of Wales is now King Charles III. Unlike his mother, who unexpectedly became queen at just 25 years old when her father, King George VI, died suddenly, 73-year-old Charles has spent his entire life in preparation to wear the crown. Charles is the oldest British monarch to ever take the throne.

Surprising Perks That King Charles Now King Of Britain Will Enjoy | AFP

As King Charles III will officially be proclaimed as Britain's new monarch, there are some other unique and surprising perks he enjoys for being the ruling monarch.

Constitutional Powers of the UK Monarchy

Role in Parliament

The monarch retains a symbolic role in government: they formally open Parliament every year. The highest legislative authority in the United Kingdom. Made up of the House of Commons, House of Lords and the Queen (who is the UK's current hereditary monarch).

Appointing a government

Surprising Perks That King Charles Now King Of Britain Will Enjoy | AFP

The day after a general election, the monarch invites the leader of the party that won the most seats in the House of Commons to become prime minister and form a government.

Queen's / King's Speech

The Crown informs Parliament of the government's policy ideas and plans for new legislation in a speech delivered from the throne in the House of Lords. Although the Queen or King makes the speech the government draws up the content.

Royal Assent

Surprising Perks That King Charles Now King Of Britain Will Enjoy | AFP

When a Bill has been approved by a majority in the House of Commons and the House of Lords it is formally agreed to by the Crown. This is known as the Royal Assent. This turns a Bill into an Act of Parliament, allowing it to become law in the UK.

Role in the Commonwealth realms

The new British sovereign will also be the head of the Commonwealth of Nations, an association that is a product of the erstwhile British empire. It consists of 56 independent nations with a population of 2.4 billion. This is different from the Commonwealth Realms where the King will be the Head of State of 14 countries or Realms, including Canada, Australia, and Jamaica, which are also constitutional monarchies, with the sovereign¡¯s role being symbolic. In countries other than the United Kingdom, the King/Queen appoints governors-general to carry out the duties of the figurehead.

Other Surprising Perks of the UK Monarchy

No needs driving a license

Surprising Perks That King Charles Now King Of Britain Will Enjoy | AFP

The King of England is the only person in the UK and probably the entire world who can legally drive without a license. He doesn't even need a license plate or a number plate.

Doesn¡¯t need a passport to travel

Unlike other members of the royal family that still need to have UK passports, the King doesn¡¯t need one herself because all U.K. passports are issued in the King's or Queen¡¯s name. This privilege travels with her all around the world because issuing her a passport in her own name is too obvious.

Two birthdays

Surprising Perks That King Charles Now King Of Britain Will Enjoy | Agency

Birthdays are pretty special days and if you are excited by the one you get to celebrate in a year, the King has a double reason for excitement. The King celebrates two birthdays in a year. Charles¡¯ mother, Queen Elizabeth II, had two birthdays ¡ª her actual birthday on April 21, which was held in private, and an official public celebration on the second Tuesday in June, when the summery weather tends to be better for outdoor parades. As Charles¡¯ birthday is at the start of winter on November 14, it is likely he will also have an ¡°official birthday" in a warmer month.

Tax-free

Despite not being required to pay tax, Queen Elizabeth voluntarily began paying her fair share in 1992.

Private cash machine (ATM)

Provided by Coutts (one of Britain's most exclusive banks), the private cash machine is installed in the basement of Buckingham Palace. This is one perk that other members of the royal family can also enjoy.

No Voting

As head of state, the British monarch must remain strictly neutral in political affairs. He or She does not vote and cannot stand for election.

Own Poet

Every 10 years, Britain appoints a poet laureate who composes verses for the monarch. The current poet laureate is Simon Armitage who was announced in May 2019.

Owns a lot of British wildlife

Image: Grahame Larter/mylondon

The British monarch does not just reign over the people. Since the 12th century, unmarked mute swans in open waters across England and Wales are considered the property of the monarch. Every year, royal rights are exercised on stretches of the River Thames, where the swans are counted in a tradition that has now become a conservation measure. The royal prerogative also applies to sturgeon, dolphins and whales in British waters.

King or Queen of Australia

Now Australia's head of state is King Charles III, and the functions of the head of state are performed by the Governor-General.

Never be arrested

It would be very hard to arrest the British monarch considering that she¡¯s immune from prosecution. All of the royals are also exempt from Freedom of Information requests.

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